“And the award goes to…”

The Awards Season is usually my favourite of the year – over on Killer Fashion I always do up my Best Dressed lists. But this year will be very different. Ceremonies will be virtual, red carpets may not even happen and there’s sure to be a few technical difficulties along the way!

But on Cookie FM this year I thought to give my own reviews and round ups of the nominated motion pictures and television series that I’ve watched before the many award shows take place. There have been such a great number of movies and series to watch (even if we can’t get to the cinema), so hopefully you’ll enjoy some of these too!

I dedicate this post to Chadwick Boseman.

Cookie FM Reviews – Movies

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Director: Aaron Sorkin, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 9/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

If you decide to watch one of the many nominated movies this month, make sure The Trial of the Chicago 7 is at the top of your list. Based on true events, the way in which the movie opens with real, historic footage is what grabbed my attention from the get-go. The actors in this movie, notably Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Ben Shenkman, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Frank Langella, are what make this a stellar two hours to watch. The scenes in the courtroom may make your blood boil a bit (especially with that dismissive judge), but I felt like I was in that courtroom. The theme and events within the movie may also make you strongly dislike America (or at least the police and justice system from that time), but I think that’s how the movie is a success.

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Picture
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Sacha Baron Cohen
Best Cinematography – Phedon Papamichael
Best Film Editing – Alan Baumgarten
Best Music (Original Song) – Celeste & Daniel Pemberton for “Hear My Voice”
Best Writing (Original Screenplay) – Aaron Sorkin

Golden Globe Awards

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Supporting Actor – Sacha Baron Cohen
Best Director – Aaron Sorkin
Best Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin (Winner!)
Best Original Song – Celeste & Daniel Pemberton for “Hear My Voice”

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Winner!)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Sacha Baron Cohen
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Film
Best Original Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin
Best Editing – Alan Baumgarten

Satellite Awards

Ensemble: Motion Picture (Winner!)
Best Director – Aaron Sorkin
Best Original Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Sacha Baron Cohen
Best Film Editing – Alan Baumgarten (Winner!)
Best Original Song- Celeste and Daniel Pemberton for “Hear My Voice”

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Director: George C. Wolfe, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 8/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

This movie really got me. I rather enjoyed how the plot revolved around one day at the recording studio, I feel as though this hasn’t been done too often before. From the opening scene, I was impressed with Viola Davis‘ acting as the Mother of the Blues, Ma Rainey. She was convincing, bossy and brash, and portrayed the musician pretty darn well – although I could tell it was not Davis who was singing (and Maxayn Lewis did a fine job at that!). Chadwick Boseman’s role though…was rather profound and so emotional. Perhaps others saw it too, but there was air of mental distress and pain throughout this movie, that Boseman delivered beautifully as Levee Green. The banter in the rehearsal room between the band goes from heartfelt conversations to those that border on confrontations, with lachrymose and poetic delivery from Boseman, while in the recording room the frustrations bubble up before Ma Rainey’s explosiive dismissal. Overall, this movie is well adapted from the August Wilson play, it’s very well acted, directed and deserves all the awards its given!

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Actor in a Leading Role – Chadwick Boseman
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Viola Davis
Best Production Design – Mark Ricker, Karen O’Hara and Diana Stoughton
Best Costume Design – Ann Roth (Winner!)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson (Winner!)

Golden Globe Awards

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama – Viola Davis
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Chadwick Boseman (Winner!)

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Chadwick Boseman (Winner!)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Viola Davis (Winner!)

Hollywood Critics Association

Best Actor – Chadwick Boseman
Best Actress – Viola Davis
Best Adapted Screenplay – Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Best Production Design – Mark Ricker
Best Costume Design – Ann Roth
Best Ensemble Cast
Best Hair & Makeup – Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson

Independent Spirit Awards

Best Feature
Best Male Lead – Chadwick Boseman
Best Female Lead – Viola Davis
Best Supporting Male – Colman Domingo
Best Supporting Male – Glynn Turman

NAACP Image Awards

Outstanding Motion Picture
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – Chadwick Boseman
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – Viola Davis
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Glynn Turman
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Coleman Domingo
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Taylour Paige
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – George C. Wolfe
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album – Branford Marsalis
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Actor in a Leading Role – Chadwick Boseman
Best Costume Design – Ann Roth (Winner!)
Best Makeup and Hair – Matiki Anoff, Larry M. Cherry, Sergio Lopez-Rivera and Mia Nea (Winner!)

Satellite Awards

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Chadwick Boseman
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama – Viola Davis
Best Adapted Screenplay – Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Best Costume Design – Ann Roth

Mank (Director: David Fincher, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 7/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

To start off, I enjoyed Mank. It was a very well made film, with great cinematography and acting. Gary Oldman always delivers in his roles, and as Herman J. Mankiewicz he did the screenwriter justice. I found the back and forth flashbacks to present day slightly confusing at the start but towards the midpoint it was very clear. Oldman’s portrayal of Mank is very well done and persuasive – you may have a love/hate feeling towards Mank throughout! I also think the movie gives an interesting insight into the Hollywood industry in the 1930s, as well as the background of one of the greatest movies, Citizen Kane (1941). Amanda Seyfried and the rest of the cast were all very good too, and though beautiful, her role wasn’t as memorable as I was expecting.

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Picture
Best Actor in a Leading Role – Gary Oldman
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Amanda Seyfried
Best Director – David Fincher
Best Cinematography – Erik Messerschmidt (Winner!)
Best Costume Design – Trish Summerville
Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff
Best Production Design – Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale (Winner!)
Best Music (Original Score) – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Best Sound – Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin

Golden Globe Awards

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Gary Oldman
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Amanda Seyfried
Best Director – Motion Picture – David Fincher
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Jack Fincher
Best Original Score – Motion Picture – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Gary Oldman

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Original Screenplay – Jack Fincher
Best Cinematography – Erik Messerschmidt
Best Costume Design – Trish Summerville
Best Makeup and Hair – Colleen LaBaff, Kimberley Spiteri and Gigi Williams
Best Original Music – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Best Production Design – Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale (Winner!)

Satellite Awards

Best Director – David Fincher
Best Actor in Drama – Gary Oldman
Actress in a Supporting Role – Amanda Seyfried (Winner!)
Best Original Screenplay – Jack Fincher
Best Original Score- Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Best Cinematography – Erik Messerschmidt (Winner!)
Best Film Editing – Kirk Baxter
Best Sound Editing – Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance & Drew Kunin
Best Visual Effects – Wei Zheng, Simon Carr, James Pastorius & Pablo Helman
Best Art Direction and Production Design – Donald Graham Burt, Chris Craine, Dan Webster & Jan Pascale (Winner!)
Best Costume Design – Trish Summerville

Da 5 Bloods (Director: Spike Lee, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 8/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

Originally, I wasn’t too sure if I’d enjoy this as much as I did, as I’m not a big fan of war movies – but Da 5 Bloods is much more than that. I really enjoyed the style of editing and the four different aspect ratios; the combination of historical footage and photographs meshed with the present day scenes shot digitally and the wartime scenes shot on 16 mm film. What I also really liked is how director Spike Lee had the four veterans play their younger selves without de-aging technology or make-up during the flashbacks. It confused my Dad for a moment until I pointed out how the aspect ratio switch up was depicting the flashbacks! It’s a heartfelt story, there are such deep emotions at play, especially with Paul’s character having PTSD, but also because of how much the Vietnam War ingrained these veterans’ (and real-life soldiers’) lives after the fact. Kudos to Spike Lee, Delroy Lindo and of course the late Chadwick Boseman for such wonderful performances.

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Music (Original Score) – Terence Blanchard

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Chadwick Boseman
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Clarke Peters

Satellite Awards

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Delroy Lindo
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Chadwick Boseman (Winner!)

The United States VS Billie Holiday (Director: Lee Daniels, 2021)
Cookie FM Rating: 8/10
Where to Watch: Sky Cinema

First and foremost, I was blown away by Andra Day‘s portrayal of Billie Holiday in this very dramatic musical biopic. Admittedly, I didn’t know any of Billie Holiday’s history, and was frankly rather taken aback. The storyline is clear and rather distinct, and having seen a number of movies in which drugs take the better toll of a person and their persona, Day delivers Holiday with such poignancy. Her first motion picture role, I adore that Day also sang each of the songs throughout this movie, and you really come to dislike the government’s ‘players’. The cast did a convincing job, and the cinematography and editing is top notch too. Bravo to all who worked on this movie, it’s amongst one of the best musical biopics I’ve seen – and I’ve seen a lot!

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Actress in a Leading Role – Andra Day

Golden Globe Awards

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama – Andra Day (Winner!)
Best Original Song – Andra Day & Raphael Saadiq for “Tigress & Tweed”

Critics’ Choice Movie Awards

Best Actress – Andra Day
Best Hair and Makeup
Best Song – Andra Day & Raphael Saadiq for “Tigress & Tweed”

Soul (Director: Pete Docter & Kemp Powers, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 8.5/10
Where to Watch: Disney+

Easily one of the best animated movies I’ve seen in the last while, Disney Pixar’s Soul has exactly that. The animation has a lovely link to music and a convincing storyline that naturally tugs at the heartstrings throughout. I was engrossed from the beginning and couldn’t predict the few twists and turns, and as an oft jazz-listener, I thoroughly enjoyed the jazz music songs and the movie’s score. This also marks the first of Pixar’s movies with an African-American protagonist, which, considering Soul is their twenty-third feature, I find rather bizarre as to how late they are to that party – Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (2009) was the first African-American Disney Princess.

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Animated Feature Film (Winner!)
Best Music (Original Score) – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste (Winner!)
Best Sound – Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker

Golden Globe Awards

Best Animated Feature Film (Winner!)
Best Original Score – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste (Winner!)

NAACP Image Awards

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – Pete Docter, Kemp Powers & Mike Jones
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album – Soul: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental – Music From and Inspired By Soul
Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture – Ahmir-Khalib Thompson
Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture – Angela Bassett
Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture – Jamie Foxx
Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture – Phylicia Rashad

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Animated Film (Winner!)
Best Original Music – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste (Winner!)
Best Sound – Coya Elliott, Ren Klyce and David Parker

Satellite Awards

Best Animated or Mixed Media Film
Best Original Screenplay – Pete Docter, Mike Jones and Kemp Powers

Mulan (Director: Niki Caro, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Disney+, Sky Store

In general, I find it hard to accept the live-action remakes of the Disney classics. Having watched three last year for the first time (Aladdin, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast), I watched the newest Disney live-action, Mulan. I did rather enjoy it, though found myself continuously comparing the differences between this and the original (1998). There are no sing-songs, there is no Mushu or Captain Li Shang, and a few characters have been given different roles. But – it’s a good action movie with a continuous Disney theme to be loyal, brave and true and a lovely score. Plus, my favourite artist Christina Aguilera returns with an updated rendition of ‘Reflection’, as well as new song ‘Loyal, Brace and True’ – both of which are only sung during the credits.

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Visual Effects – Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram
Best Costume Design – Bina Daigeler

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Special Visual Effects – Sean Faden, Steve Ingram, Anders Langlands and Seth Maury

Satellite Awards

Best Art Direction and Production Design – Grant Major & Anne Kuljian
Best Costume Design – Bina Daigeler
Best Visual Effects – Sean Faden

The Midnight Sky (Director: George Clooney, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 6/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

I really wanted to love this movie… There’s no doubt about it; it’s a beautifully shot movie with stunning visuals. But I found the storyline a bit predictable, even though actors George Clooney, Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo did their roles justice. It’s set in a not-so-distant future, and given the current and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the theme seemed somewhat relatable. As Clooney’s seventh directed movie, it’s very well done in that it creates an atmosphere of that life on Earth has been lost and how the astronauts are in the dark about it all. But all in all, I just knew what was coming and I found it hard to stay surprised or ‘get into it’.

Nominated for

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Visual Effects – Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins

Golden Globe Awards

Best Original Score – Alexandre Desplat

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Best Special Visual Effects – Matt Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins

Satellite Awards

Best Cinematography – Martin Ruhe
Best Original Score – Alexandre Desplat (Winner!)
Best Art Direction and Production Design – Jim Bissell and John Bush
Best Visual Effects – Mark Bakowski, Georgina Street and Jill Brooks
Best Sound (Mixing and Editing) – Randy Thom, Dan Hiland, Todd Beckett, Danny Hambrook & Bjorn Schroeder

Cookie FM Reviews – Television Series

Schitt’s Creek (Created by Eugene Levy & Dan Levy, 2015-2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 10/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

Hands down, the best series I’ve watched since Gossip Girl! When I first watched Schitt’s Creek in 2019, I was a fan from the first scene and absolutely fell in love with each and every character of the Rose family. This epic creation by Eugene and Dan Levy, who are both on-and-off screen father and son, deserves all the awards and I’m so grateful for their creative minds. It’s a feel-good show, with plenty of laughs, lots of relatable characters and personalities, real-life scenarios but also plenty of over the top silliness. Don’t even get me started on Catherine O’Hara‘s character Moira, who steals the scene with her brilliant wardrobe, wigs and vocabulary – she should be made into an actor’s case study; or Annie Murphy‘s darling ditzy Alexis, who really is a dreamer that always means well and eventually gets her sh*t together and launches her own business!

Nominated for

Critics’ Choice Television Awards

Best Comedy Series
Best Actor in a Comedy Series – Eugene Levy
Best Actress in a Comedy Series – Catherine O’Hara
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Dan Levy
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Annie Murphy

Golden Globe Awards

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Winner!)
Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy – Eugene Levy
Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy – Catherine O’Hara (Winner!)
Best Supporting Actor – Television – Dan Levy
Best Supporting Actress – Television – Annie Murphy

Screen Actor Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Winner!)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series – Dan Levy
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series – Eugene Levy
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series – Annie Murphy
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series – Catherine O’Hara (Winner!)

Satellite Awards

Television Series, Comedy or Musical (Winner!)
Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical – Catherine O’Hara
Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical – Eugene Levy (Winner!)

The Mandalorian (Created by: Jon Favreau, 2019-present)
Cookie FM Rating: 9/10
Where to Watch: Disney+

I mean…how can you not like The Mandalorian!? Creator and writer Jon Favreau really is an excellent talent, and especially so to the sci fi and fantasy genre. Keeping the Star Wars franchise alive and very much kicking, this series introduced us to Mando and The Child, also belovedly known as ‘Baby Yoda’! The storyline from Season One is very intriguing and keeps you on your toes throughout Season Two, with some kick-ass acting and action, bad-ass actors, a beautiful score and stunning visuals from start to finish. Roll on Season Three!

Nominated for

Golden Globe Awards Awards

Best Television Series – Drama

Satellite Awards

Best Television Series – Genre

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series (Winner!)

Writers Guild of America Awards

Drama Series – Rick Famuyiwa, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni

The Undoing (Created by: David E. Kelley, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 8/10
Where to Watch: Sky On Demand, Amazon Prime

Myself and my Dad both enjoyed The Undoing, and I especially because of its thriller and crime themes. The opening episode grips you from scene one, and admittedly, I thought it’d be predictable but I did not see those twists and turns throughout the six episodes. Nicole Kidman plays her character brilliantly and so convinchly, while fellow actors Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland and Lily Rabe portray their respective roles to a tee. I will say, there are times you absolutely hate some characters and their actions, but that’s when you know they’ve done a great job!

Nominated for

Golden Globe Awards

Best Limited Series or Television Film
Best Actor – Limited Series or Television Film – Hugh Grant
Best Actress – Limited Series or Television Film – Nicole Kidman
Best Supporting Actor – Television – Donald Sutherland

Critics Choice Awards

Best Limited Series
Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie – Hugh Grant
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie – Donald Sutherland

Satellite Awards

Best Miniseries & Limited Series
Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film – Hugh Grant
Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Film – Nicole Kidman
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film – Donald Sutherland
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film – Noma Dumezweni

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series – Hugh Grant
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series – Nicole Kidman

I Know This Much Is True (Created by: Derek Cianfrance, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 9/10
Where to Watch: Sky On Demand, Hulu, Amazon Prime

I found this mini series with Mark Ruffalo harrowingly beautiful. It’s quite a dark, and rather sad, series where Ruffalo plays identical twins, one of which has schizophrenia and one of whom is depressed. I Know This Much Is True requires your full attention and though the art direction is very grim, it’s a very realistic and relatable themed series. Kudos to Mark Ruffalo on this double character role, and I’m delighted he’s been recognised for this.

Nominated for

Golden Globe Awards

Best Actor – Limited Series or Television Film – Mark Ruffalo (Winner!)

Critics’ Choice Television Awards

Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie – Mark Ruffalo

Satellite Awards

Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film – Mark Ruffalo

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series – Mark Ruffalo (Winner!)

Hollywood (Created by: Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan, 2020)
Cookie FM Rating: 9/10
Where to Watch: Netflix

I really enjoyed this mini series from Netflix. Hollywood had a good storyline, beautiful cinematography, costume, hair & makeup and very interesting characters delivered by a stellar cast including Darren Criss, David Corenswet, Laura Harrier, Samantha Weaving, Jeremy Pope, Patti LuPone, Holland Taylor and of course Jim Parsons. The themes took me by surprise but wonderfully so, because it’s not often that different sexualities and personalities are explored during such an era of Hollywood.

Nominated for

Golden Globe Awards

Best Supporting Actor – Television – Jim Parsons

Critics’ Choice Television Awards

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie – Dylan McDermott

Writers Guild of America Awards

Long Form – Original – Ian Brennan, Janet Mock, Ryan Murphy and Reilly Smith

Nirina xx

Images © respective owners